Leadscrew mounting - lengthwise movement

[Rhodan]

I have nice ball bearings to mount my leadscrews and I've figured out how to attach the steppers etc. But one thing I haven't found much about is dealing with movement along the length of the leadscrew.

Two of the leadscrews I have came with wavy washers to keep the leadscrew in one place. I cannot imagine that these would be any use at all under load - they would compress and result in movement of the leadscrew.

What I have seen looks like people just jam the leadscrew tightly between the two end bearings, using the bearing faces to keep the leadscrew in place.

Any comments on methods of dealing with this?

[Al_The_Man]

Pre-loaded thrust bearings.
Al.

[Tailwheel]

You should be using angular contact ball bearing and make a precision spacer to fit between the inner races. Put an indicator on the end of the ball screw and tighten it up. You'll have to shorten the spacer until there's no movement on the indicator. This is only on the driven end. The other end of the ballscrew can be a plain ball bearing.

Hope this helps.