Leadscrew configuration question for CNC Z-axis

[sarahb]

I have never used a leadscrew or ball screw before so this may seem like a rudimentary question, but is it possible to fix the nut so that the screw moves up and down rather than fix the screw so that the nut moves up and down? This configuration would work much better for my design, but I'm not sure if a leadscrew could practically do that(theoretically it makes sense to me). Essentially my design is to have one housing that contains the linear bushings for two rods on either side of the leadscrew nut, and the housing is fixed so that the rods and screw move up and down together. Hopefully that makes sense.

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[Jim Dawson]

Sure, all you need is relative movement between the screw and the nut. I just built a system that rotates the nut for a linear actuator. As long as you can accurately limit the rotation of the motor mount it will work fine.

[sarahb]

Thanks for your response! Another question, how necessary is the linear bearing for the rod? Would it be too much friction to just have the rods move directly in the 3D printed housing rather than put bearings in the housing? I was planning on using aluminum linear sleeve bearings: https://www.mcmaster.com/#9533t1/=16drzgz