Yes, they are wood fingerboards (I just googled it:)
thanks alot, and more question will follow, soon!

: I think you mean the wood finger boards, but in case you mean the metal table
: I'll comment on both.

: Finger boards apply pressure on the strip to ensure the cove and bead is
: milled with precision. The slots make the board springy so it can
: accommodate the inevitable variation in strip thickness. The cove is
: really delicate so even a tiny fraction of an inch in variation will have
: an effect. Solid boards can't give like finger boards, so strips get stuck
: when too thick. (and no matter how careful you will get some strip
: thickness variation.)

: If like me you haven't used finger boards before ripping strips, you'll be
: amazed at how effective they are.

: The grooves in the metal table I'd guess are to reduce the surface area and
: therefore friction.

: Hope I guessed your question right! My experience of ripping strips linked
: below

: Cheers Ian
: surface