Abstract: A brake (30) includes a magnetically permeable body (38) having a pole face (40), an armature (42) axially movable toward and away from the pole face, an energization coil (44) energizable to magnetically attract the armature toward the pole face, biasing members (50) biasing the armature away from the pole face, a pressure plate (64) mounted to the body and axially spaced from the pole face, a friction disc (66) between the armature and the pressure plate and keyable to an axially extending rotary shaft (36), such that upon deenergization of the coil, the biasing members bias the armature to a braking position pushing the friction disc against the pressure plate to stop rotation of the disc and shaft, the armature in the braking position defining an air gap (80) between the pole face and the armature, and such that upon energization of the coil, the armature is pulled through the gap toward the pole face to a released position releasing the disc and permitting rotation of the shaft.