A stop module for non-jamming end-of-stroke stoppage of a rotary drive actuator includes timing gears to articulate a stopping pawl, and a low inertia, deformable stopping disk arranged to safely dissipate excess rotational kinetic energy of the rotary actuator. The stop module does not rely on friction to stop and dissipate the excess kinetic energy, but instead relies on predictable deformation of a metallic stopping disk which may be provided in a stopping cartridge of the stop module. Use of a deformable element to dissipate excess energy allows the disclosed stop module to be lighter and smaller than conventional end-of-stroke stopping mechanisms.