geared motor anti-backlash

Looking at a non-contact axis. EDM actually.

The ram will be pushed down. the problem is mofing iddy-biddy
amounts. Thinking about using a DC motor, a gear head DC motor actually.

but my concern is the backlash in the motor itself.

I only need about 2 inches of movement, and on a 1/4 that is 40 turns.

I can rake out the axial movement, but is there any easy way to keep
the gears loaded on one side ?

I was thinking about a spring, but 40 turns will wind up most any
spring pretty darn hard.

Any idears ?

Dave