Abstract: A conveyor system and method that reduces extraneous forces in a manufacturing process is disclosed. The system and method of the invention are particularly directed to handling and processing sensitive materials such as, for example, in clean room manufacturing facilities. These facilities are used in the fields of semiconductor fabrication, hard disk drive manufacturing, biotechnology, biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical engineering. A conveyor system according to the invention includes a carrier and a drive assembly for providing relative movement thereto. A rib or groove extends along the bottom of the carrier parallel to the direction of travel. The rib and groove structures are also intended to reduce mechanical contact between the carrier and the drive assembly, including its components. A reduction of such contact limits the extent of contamination caused by particulate formation.