A method is provided to control velocity of an armature of an electromagnetic actuator as the armature moves from a first position towards a second position. The electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a coil and a stator core at the second position. The method includes permitting the armature to move towards the stator core. Magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit created by the armature and electromagnet is determined when the armature is moving toward the stator core. The determined magnetic flux is used as a feedback variable to control energy to the coil so as to control a velocity of the armature as the armature moves towards the stator core.