An electromagnetic rotating machine having an annular stator and a rotor disposed within the stator, the stator including a frame and stator laminations secured to the frame and located radially inwardly of the frame, and the stator being mounted on a rigid foundation such that the rotor has a vertical axis of rotation, and stator shape stabilizing devices connected between the stator frame and the foundation at a plurality of spaced points around the stator frame for imposing outwardly directed radial forces on the frame at the spaced points in a manner to maintain a circular configuration for the frame.