Sony BVM A14F5M Replacement 3D Printed Buttons
Sony BVM A14F5M – 3D Printed Replacement Buttons
The left-side buttons on the Sony BVM A14F5M front bezel break. It’s very common.
I’ve worked on at least 10 A14 units over the years and most of them had cracked or completely broken buttons on the left side. I live in a hot climate, which probably contributes to it, but even compared to other BVM models, the A14 plastic feels more fragile. For whatever reason, this model seems especially prone to it. Luckily, right side buttons always seem solid and do not have this issue.
So I made replacement buttons that can be 3D printed.
What’s Included
The files contain:
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A set of 4 buttons. You'll need to print 4 sets total.
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An LED diffuser insert
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The STEP file (so you can modify it if needed)
The buttons fit properly and sit correctly in the bezel assembly.
About the Diffuser
The design includes a diffuser to transfer light from the internal LEDs.
You’ll likely need to experiment with print settings and material to get enough clarity for proper light transfer. The picture exaggerates the brightness, they are much more dimmer IRL. These are the 3D printed diffusers.
Alternatively, you can cut a short piece of clear filament and use that as a light pipe. That’s what I ended up doing, I have not installed them yet this way and I might update the post if I get better results.
Note:
The diffuser hole is straight through, so nothing mechanically locks it in place. I used a very small amount of glue during installation to keep it from sliding.
Installation
Installation is straightforward:
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Remove the 4 screws holding the front bezel assembly.
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Disconnect the 3 connectors attached to the bezel.
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Remove the bezel assembly.
Take your time. On my unit, most of the internal screw pillars broke during removal. The plastic is very brittle. I repaired mine with hot glue during reassembly.
The original buttons sit against a metal shield. That shield needs to be removed along with any debris and broken plastic inside.
Where the metal shield sits, there are a couple of small tabs that must be trimmed for the 3D printed buttons to fit properly.
After cleanup and minor trimming, the new buttons drop in and function as expected.
If you’ve worked on an A14F5M before, you’ve probably seen this issue. These replacements solve it permanently, and the files are open for modification if you want to improve or adapt them.
I am yet to print and install a full set of these buttons, so who knows if any issues will pop-up. Reach out if you do come across any issues during installation.