There are four general body styles of ball valves: fully welded, three-piece body (also called side or end-entry), split-body, and top-entry. The difference is based on how the pieces of the valve are manufactured and assembled, but the valve operation is the same in each type. Each design has its benefits. For example, the design of the CAMERON® T31 fully welded ball valve gives it maximum strength at minimum weight, as well as maximum resistance, both to pipeline pressures and stresses. The compact, spherical design also eliminates body flanges, thus reducing overall size and leak paths. .