Terry Lingle wrote:
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The standard method used with larger motors is a brake suitably sized that is released upon application of drive power and automatically applied whenever power is removed (spring apply).

I've used electric machines for the best part of 20 years, and I wouldn't describe a mechanical brake as the standard method - once again it depends very strongly on what you are doing.

DC motors and AC motors can be made to regenerate their stored mechanical energy back into the supply, without causing excess local heating for example. A rapidly oscillating drive (common in machine tools) would preferably use regenerative methods fo r just that reason.

I have seen mechanical braking used in safety critical systems like lift (elevator) drives, but usually as the method of last resort.

Steve