Ogura has created a new animation showing how permanent magnet brakes work.  The animation shows an exploded view of the component parts and how they interact with each other.  In permanent magnet brakes, holding force is created by permanent magnets and released by energizing the magnetic field.  Permanent magnet brakes are higher torque and smaller diameter versus spring applied brakes.  Permanent magnet brakes also allow torque to be controlled by varying the offsetting current to the brake.  Brakes are used on a wide variety of medical, robotic and other motion control applications.