And here I thought multiplication was commutative
If the units of an equation work out to lb-ft or ft-lb, there is no difference in the resultant quantity.
Torque is the instantaneous force applied through an arm that has not yet rotated, but if allowed to do so, will begin to perform work, because work is an accumulation of torque applied over time and moving a load. You will not be getting any ft-lbs of work done with zero torque.
The potential to do work is different than actually doing the work, but the electrical energy supplied to the motor will be similar, whether the motor is stalled by a brake, or whether it is successfully moving its load. How would they tell down at the generating station whether that motor is doing work or not? All they know is that they have to input the same amount of energy into the power grid to make that circuit work. Whether the result of the power is heat coming out of the stalled motor, or the load moving is just subjective observation subject to the whim of the observer's attention Thus, the old school teacher's quip (I remember mine saying this) about "no work being done if the load is not moved' is just bull, because some work is being done to create the torque, he's just chosen to ignore that fact.
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)