About this 3D model

UPDATE August 14th - Please check out version 2: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:428312 While this is still working very well (the servo version at least), the improvements of the new version are worth it! UPDATE July 29th - I have been having an amazing feedback from you, lots of amazing suggestions to improve the design. Thank you very much! Unfortunately I haven't had free time to work on it as I wanted, so the project is on a temporary halt. I have updated a couple of files here, correcting some minor mistakes, and I have also uploaded the complete sketchup file; it might be a little messy, but I'm sure you can find your way around it. If not, just shout! UPDATE July 5th: - See updated instructions Video (with english subtitles: http://youtu.be/-h-zzxGWx2s) Importante: if you're using the servo version (or if you don't use bed auto leveling at all) you don't need to print the x-carriage, it'll probably fit the one you already have, just check if the standard 50mm holes match. Universal extruder - This is my first and so far most important reprap project. I grew tired of replacing extruders and disassembling lots of parts every time the nozzle got clogged or I had to swap material. So, finally here it is, an extruder to suit all your needs: can be used with 3.00m or 1.75mm filament and with (almost?) any hotend (to be verified). The concept behind this project is actually simple: I designed small pieces ("bits", as I call them) and and adaptor inserted in the main extruder that can be replaced anytime you need. Just open the idler and change the filament width; open the front lock and change the hotend. I am also uploading the x-carriage designed to work with the BAL (bed-auto-leveling, see below) version of this extruder. I also added to this concept everything I always wanted in an extruder: a quick release for the filament, a belt tensioner (not on the extruder, but on the x-carriage) and a bed auto leveing switch without any servo: when the nozzle touches the bed, the extruder rotates and activates the switch. This is very experimental, I don't expect it to work flawlessly, but it is here to be developed. So, this is still a work in progress. I haven't even tested it in a real life situation, but I'm making it public anyway so that you can help develop it. I really thing this project has a great potential and could become a standard for extruders. As I write this text I'm printing the second prototype, where I corrected some problems, and I plan to put it to work in a couple of weeks. I'll upload photos as parts get ready and assembled. Last but not least, this isn't actually 100% *mine*. it's a remix of several things I found here, put together in this project; see sources for more information. Thanks, hope you enjoy it.