[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum so I am not sure if I'm posting this in the correct location.Anyway, I am currently working on a cnc as part of a class project. Since I live in Egypt there are very few stores that sell leadscrews or ball screws (that I know of at least). I chose a NEMA 23 stepper motor with 9 kgf.cm torque. However the only ballscrew I found had a 16 mm diameter and I think it's too big for my motor. So here's my question: if I manufacture an acme leadscrew following available standards will it work or will it give me many problems? Will a 1/4 inch threaded rod manufactured at the local workshop do or will it pose serious problems? And if I can do it what about the nut? Can I just purchase a regular one (a long 1/4 in diameter nut) or will it be a problem? Please note that in terms of machine performance/precision it's not very important the important thing is that the machine just works (as in the table moves along the router and the table move relatively smoothly along their axes when a command is entered). It's very basic really!

Thanks!

[ger21]

Yes, 1/4" threaded rod will work, but it won't be very fast. You can make a nut from plastic cutting board material. Use a piece of the threaded rod to make a tap for the plastic.

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

Thank you very much for replying so quickly. What do you mean by tap? Can't I simply buy a regular long nut with 1/4'' diameter? I'm not sure where to find plastic cutting board either that's another problem...!

[alan_3301]

A hand tap for cutting threads.. You can use the regular long nuts, but they have a whole lot of friction, and you would have to weld something to it, or figure out some way to secure it to the moving part.
If you use a plastic block, it has less friction, and easier options for attaching it to the moving part.

[ger21]

A plastic nut will be much more efficient, and won't wear out the screw.
Tap means to thread the plastic.

[alan_3301]

I thought i was crazy for a minute, I swore I replied already to this thread, it seems you have 2 of the same thread..

At least I know I'm not crazy now.

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

yes sorry! I thought I had deleted the first thread so I wrote another one. Then I found the first one again and lost the second! so I just went back to the first! bottom line is: you're definitely not crazy and than you!