A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the effects of torque ripple and cogging torque and otherwise improving performance in an electromechanical machine such as a motor or generator. The rotor and/or stator is conceptually sectionalized and the sections spaced apart by amount sufficient to alleviate deleterious aspects of cogging torque and torque ripple. Positioning of the stator teeth or rotor magnets is determined based on the calculated spacing. Conceptual sections may be formed as physically individual segments. Unwound teeth may be disposed in end spaces between sections occupying less than the entire area of the end space.