The can manufacturing process requires the reorientation of cans between manufacturing processes, and the movement of cans between plant levels. Modern can plants move cans in mass using vacuum and magnetic conveyance. These conveyors are characterized by complicated system geometry and loads. Rigorous analysis techniques are applied to these conveyor systems. Application parameters that strongly affect performance are developed and discussed. Mathematical tools for the prediction of belt loads through large and small radius arcs, various diameter rollers and sprockets, convex and concave paths, horizontal, inclined and vertical paths are developed. These tools are applied to a typical vacuum application as an illustrative example.