A CNC 4th has a hydraulic or air brake as part of the main spindle. That way cutting forces don't beat the gears to death and it will hold position.
That manual indexer with a stepper mounted scabbed onto it still has the manual spindle lock lever. That is how you would need to use it.
A servo doesn't need a brake unless gravity moves the axis when the power is off.
You are absolutely correct with the servo + brake. The servo would just be fighting the brake if both were engaged, makes sense.
If I plan on keeping the included stepper though, I would probably want a break so it doesnt lose steps when trying to hold position since open loop
I dont think open loop steppers belong in a cnc mill, but I will have to see how much use I get out of it before justifying a $800+ servo (I am just a home gamer after all)
I wonder if I can use a rotary air actuator/ cylinder to lock and unlock that brake instead of using the manual lever. I can guarantee I will forget to lock/ unlock that thing haha
"That manual indexer with a stepper mounted scabbed onto it"
Honestly I am becoming less and less impressed with Tormach by the minute. I watch guys like SMW at NYC CNC make great parts with tormachs, but the mechanical engineer in me cringes at some of the choices tormach makes to cost down these mills.
I know thats what yall have been saying all along, but I physically cant fit a Haas through my garage door haha