online computer control of steel making processes became a reality with the first use of computers on a hot strip mill in 1962. mclouth steel used a general electric 312 computer for gauge control on the finishing train of a semi-continuous mill. the aim was to set up the initial roll gap and then establish correct gauge as soon as the head end of the strip emerged onto the runout table. the finishing train started running under continuous computer control on november 1, 1962.