Retarding Torque on a motor is what?

I can't imagine why torque would be retarded while the motor operates. Maybe that is a braking device to keep the machine indexed at the end of a cycle, so it doesn't coast through the next half, or so of it's motion?

This was found here:

In other words, the rotor spins backwards and a torque has to be applied to make it stop. This is the retarding torque. I suppose in your case, when the shear opens and goes backward, a torque must be applied to stop it before it hits the stop.

Al

Let me explain further. The motor moves the back guage in and out so that whatever is being cut will be cut to a specificl length. From the shear blade to the back guage which as i said is moved by the motor. The motor is off or at least I've stopped pushing to button to position it when the shear comes down and shears the material. Most of the force id directed down cutting the material. I assume there is some pushing against the back guage and maybe this retarding torque is so the guage stays stationary. Ken