Abstract: A pressing device 1 for joining workpieces 44, 45 has a pressing tool 3 and a motorized drive 5 for actuation of the pressing tool 3 over a pressing distance, as well as a control device 26 which has a drive control device 62 with an output control device 67 as actuator for influencing the drive 5, such that at least one setpoint profile is retained as a command variable according to which a manipulated variable, corresponding to the setpoint profile, is generated for influencing the output control device 67. The output control device 67 and the setpoint profile 79 or profiles are part of a servocontrol system.