Ball valve, characterized orifice insert, and method of making the same

A method of manufacturing a ball valve assembly, the method comprising:

• providing a pair of end caps;
• providing a rotary ball, the rotary ball including a bore formed therethrough;
• providing a handle operatively connected to the rotary ball and configured to rotate the rotary ball;
• providing a characterization orifice insert, the characterization orifice insert including a characterization shape;
• positioning the rotary ball between the pair of end caps;
• and
• positioning the characterization orifice insert proximate the rotary ball,
• wherein before the characterization orifice insert is positioned proximate the rotary ball, the characterization orifice insert is converted and/or formed from an initial state into a final state, wherein the characterization shape of the characterization orifice insert in the initial state differs from the characterization shape of the characterization orifice insert in the final state, and wherein the characterization shape of the characterization orifice insert in the final state comprises a V-shaped opening having substantially straight legs, and wherein the characterization shape of the characterization orifice insert in the initial state comprises a V-shaped opening having curved legs.