4 steppers for one axis?

I am not sure if this is an electronics or mechanics question.

Is it possible to use 4 steppers for one axis (z)?

I would have to splice 2 and 2 to use with Ramps given only 2 z inputs, but would this work?

Any downsides?

My reasoning for wanting to do this is for balance rather than for torque/power.

I am finding that with a larger bed, no matter what I do I cannot seem to get it balancing properly with only one side being supported for a larger bed (400mm x 400mm) and I know I can do it with 4 motors, just not sure I can, or should.

Hi. I think you could connect the stepper in parallel, just like it's done with the two steppers of a prusa mendel in the z axis.

Have you considered using just one stepper and a timming belt to move the four shafts? I think there are some printers that do that with the z-axis so they don't need two steppers (Prism is the only name coming to my mind but I'm sure there are others doing the same.)

Sorry about my english, I'm from Argentina and don't practice my writting very often. I hope you can understand what I wrote.