The paper presents the results of an electromagnetic brake test of a hybrid positioning system consisting of a pneumatic cylinder and an electromagnetic brake. Brake tests were carried out on the MTS Insight testing machine, which determined the attraction forces of the electromagnet depending on the size of the air gap and the current flowing through the winding of the electromagnet. The time constants of the positioning unit and the electromagnet were measured, which allowed to develop an effective control system reaching shorter times and higher positioning accuracy as well as a higher average piston speed. The presented system ensures free programming of displacements of the actuator and maintaining the set position. Obtaining higher average speeds of the pneumatic cylinder piston is possible due to the use of effective control parameters such as shortening the braking phase and the time of reaching the desired position.