a counterforce mechanism is arranged to exert a force on an object to maintain the object at a desired position . the mechanism comprises a driven body , a drive for moving the driven body , and a resilient coupling arrangement for coupling the driven body to a portion of an object . a control arrangement is arranged to output a drive signal to the driven body drive to move the driven body to a location where it exerts a force on the object via the coupling arrangement , such that the force counteracts an opposing force acting on the object and the mechanism holds the portion of the object at the desired position . a machine axis and a machine tool incorporating such a counterforce mechanism are also described , together with methods of operation thereof .