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Automotive air conditioning compressors utilizing aluminum scrolls offer improvements in engine performance and fuel economy by lowering energy consumption, reducing weight, and allowing smaller packaging. This alternative compressor design was first commercially produced in 1981. Since this time, scroll compressors have continually increased their share of the original equipment compressor market for Japanese, European, and US automotive manufacturers. Two essential components in the compressor assembly are the aluminum scroll castings (fixed and orbiting). The first production aluminum scrolls were machined from sand castings. This process was then replaced by squeeze casting, which has now been in use for over 12 years. Forging has recently emerged as an alternative process. The design and structural requirements of the aluminum scroll component challenge both squeeze casting and forging processes.