Control commands for a control device of a machine define a sequence of successive sections of ideal position target values for a position-controlled shaft of the machine. The ideal position target values either increase or decrease monotonically within the sections, but the direction of the monotony changes from section to section. A position controller determines actuating signals for an actuator from position target values resulting from ideal position target values, additional target values and position actual values. Within sections, the additional target values are positive (negative) when the ideal position target values increase (decrease) monotonically. The additional target values have a first component dependent exclusively on a position difference, with the magnitude of the first component increasing as the magnitude of the position difference increases, first strictly monotonically and then at least monotonically.