Do you have a process or technology or a really strong case study that you want to share with Global SMT & Packaging's readers? Global SMT & Packaging, the leading magazine in the industry, is seeking technical articles and case studies for publication in its print magazines and website.

We are specifically looking for papers that offer a 'real' manufacturing solution and that have not been previously published in another magazine or journal. You can download our current editorial calendar (PDF) for an idea of the sorts of topics the magazine is interested in.

Articles submissions should include:

• Text of the article in MS Word format (Title of article should be 8 words or fewer.)
• Images supplied separately as 300dpi JPG files
• 60-100 word abstract
• 6-8 keywords
• 40-60 word biography of the principal author(s) (maximum 2).
• A copy of our article submission form (Word document) (This can be faxed or emailed back to us separately.)

References are also encouraged and welcome.

Articles and materials should be sent by email to editor@globalsmt.net.

Article length
While not every article can be pertinent to every Global SMT & Packaging reader, Global SMT & Packaging believes that when an article does speak to a reader's sphere of interest or influence, the reader wants the full facts about why the process improves his workflow or bottom line. Consequently, we tend not to limit article length but as a guide suggest that they not exceed 3,000, less 150 words per graph, table or image.

Tips for making the most of your paper

• Use figures, graphs and tables! They can clarify and help to illustrate concepts, draw a skimming reader into the text, and enable the reader to verify his or her understanding. They also make the paper more visually appealing. Figure captions should give all the information that is necessary to understand the figure rather than rely on the article text to do--figures that stand on their own are more effective in drawing in a reader who is scanning the paper.
• For the abstract, state the problem, your approach and solution, and the main contributions of the paper.
• Your introduction should answer these questions: 1. What is the problem? 2. Why is it interesting and important? 3. Why hasn't it been solved before/what has been wrong with previou approaches? 4. What are the key components of my approach and results, and the limitations (if applicable)?
• Readers are looking for information, not a sales pitch. Keep your paper informative and solution-based.
• Readers are interested in what worked, and why, so start with that. If you discuss approaches that were not successful, do so briefly, with a focus on differences from the successful technique, and typically only after you have discussed the successful approach.
• Use present tense throughout--it brings clarity and immediacy to describing a process or procedure.
• Break up your paper into meaningful sections, using headers as necessary.
• Does the work described in the paper set new research directions? After the conclusion, include information on future work, particularly if you're engaged in follow-up work, after the article's conclusion.

If you have questions about submitting technical articles to Global SMT & Packaging, please email editor@globalsmt.net.