This is amazing…keep up the good work!!!
To some degree, that was already done with the “Heart of Glass” stick, but a nice design nonetheless.
If that’s plexi, the toughest part will be applying a good, isolated, and uniform heat across the areas that will be bent, without overheating the acrylic. You also have to consider that the edges will bow out along the bends, so follow-up sanding/finishing will be required. Finally getting a proper jig to hold the piece in place while it cools would be complicated at best… That could be the biggest factor in why a shop wouldn’t want to work on it. Placing a piece that thick in a jig without screwing it up is difficult at best, especially since the bent areas are so close together on that squared off one.
Wow, you brought me back to my old manufacturing class days in school! I did a lot of wild stuff with acrylic back in those days. 
THAT is an spectacular stick and amazing craftsmanship. Had to search for it but here it is for convenience:
[forums.shoryuken.com/discussion/172540/heart-of-glass-arcade-stick](Heart of Glass arcade stick
Thanks for explaining to me! I didn’t know it was so difficult. Do you think that chamfering the edges would mitigate the bowing? I’m imaging adapting this process: https://youtube.com/watch?v=arjRtCjI9AQ
WANT. I’m saving my money for one of these. Broke at the moment, but should be able to get one after Xmas.
Woah, that is badass.
…although, NOT what I was talking about, that is pretty slick. What I meant was the actual panel not being flat, something akin the the Microsoft Natural keyboards. Dunno bout y’all but when I relax my hands, they don’t go flat. This isn’t a problem, it’s not like I have an issue with a standard arcade stick, but I didn’t have an issue with flat keyboards but the MS Natural one is still my favourite thing to type on.
That suggestion was also based on my misunderstanding that you were 3D printing the whole lot, oops.
Anyway, nice work.
http://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/smartparts/bendablemdf.htm
Something like this would work for an ergonomic stick. MDF may be little heavier, but not too bad in a 1/4" sheet.
While waiting for parts to arrive, I’ve been working on a cheaper design:
http://i.imgur.com/1LnQXat.jpg
Top, front and bottom are mdf/wood, the sides aluminum, and corners ABS plastic.