Making your own ball screws with say a 4th axis system?

[noobCNC]

Has anyone tried making their own ball screws and nut?

Is it possible to make the ball screw using a 4th axis system, and then say rotating the spindle holding an end-mill of the correct diameter (or a grinder) at the right angle so you can get the desired pitch?

[RomanLini]

I remember seeing something in the metalworking machines section of the forum (or maybe the benchtop machine section where the metal work guys hang out).

It was about using a lathe to make leadscrews, as most lathes have autofeed to cut screw threads. That's not exactly what you asked sorry, but it might be of some use to you.

[BillTodd]

Has anyone tried making their own ball screws and nut?

Is it possible to make the ball screw using a 4th axis system, and then say rotating the spindle holding an end-mill of the correct diameter (or a grinder) at the right angle so you can get the desired pitch?

Anythings possible,

But, unless you are making something very special, by the time you've added heat treatment and precision grinding to get a surface suitable for the bearing balls to run on, it would probably be cheaper to buy the industrially made items.

(if you are thinking DIY you might be interested in alternatives to ball screws see A different (better) kind of screw)

Bill Todd