Billet support fingers for palletization

A method of supporting a part, the method comprising:

• placing a pallet onto an upper surface of a pallet table with a plurality of support members, wherein the plurality of support members is connected to and extends upwards from the upper surface of the pallet table, wherein the plurality of support members are configured to pass through the pallet such that the plurality of support members extend above the pallet, wherein the plurality of support members are attached to a support element configured to raise and lower the support members relative to the pallet table, wherein the support element includes an actuator selected from the group consisting of a pneumatic actuator, an electrical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and a mechanical actuator, wherein each support member includes a receiving surface that defines a portion of a channel extending across the support members, wherein the plurality of support members are configured to absorb and attenuate a shock of a sharp load spike of a part being dropped onto the plurality of support members, and wherein the plurality of support members are positioned to receive the part above the pallet such that the part does not come into contact with the pallet;
• dropping the part onto the support elements;
• and
• receiving the part with the plurality of support members such that a shock load of the part is absorbed with the of plurality support members and such that the part does not come into contact with the pallet.

A pallet table for receiving a pallet, the pallet table comprising:

• an upper surface;
• a plurality of support members connected to and extending upwards from the upper surface of the pallet table, wherein the plurality of support members are configured to pass through the pallet positioned on the upper surface of the pallet table such that the plurality of support elements extend above the pallet, wherein each support member includes a receiving surface, wherein the plurality of support members are configured to absorb and attenuate a shock of a sharp load spike of a part being dropped onto the plurality of support members, and wherein the plurality of support members are positioned to receive the part above the pallet such that the part does not come into contact with the pallet;
• a first exterior support member;
• a second exterior support member positioned a distance of 3 to 39 inches (7.62 to 99.06 centimeters) from the first exterior support member;
• and
• a portion of a channel defined by the receiving surfaces of the plurality of support members, wherein the channel extends across the support members.