Capping device and method for closing screw caps

A method for closing a screw cap, the method comprising:

• transmitting a force from a motor to the screw cap by means of a power train for a purpose of closing the screw cap,
• dynamically adapting operation of the motor to close the screw cap making use of a measured actual value of an operating parameter of the motor, a target closing torque as well as an actual closing torque model, wherein the actual closing torque model provides, based on a modelled torque acting on the screw cap, a modelled actual closing torque resulting from this modelled torque while closing the screw cap,
• dynamically adapting the operation of the motor on a basis of a control loop,
• the control loop outputting, based on the measured actual value of the operating parameter and on a predetermined target closing torque as input variables, at least for one motor operating parameter to be set, a value and/or a range of values and/or an upper and/or lower limit for the value, and
• the control loop determining a current value of the actual closing torque making use of the actual closing torque model, and for determining, based on a comparison between the current value of the actual closing torque and the target closing torque, the value and/or the range of values and/or the upper and/or lower limit for the at least one operating parameter to be set.

A capping device for closing a screw cap, comprising a motor, a control unit, and a power train and configured for transmitting force from the motor to the screw cap by means of the power train for a purpose of closing the screw cap,

• wherein the control unit dynamically and continuously adapts operation of the motor to close the screw cap, making use of a measured actual value of an operating parameter of the motor, a target closing torque and an actual closing torque model,
• wherein the actual closing torque model continuously provides, based on a modelled torque acting on the screw cap, a modelled actual closing torque resulting from this modelled torque,
• wherein the control unit is configured for dynamically and continuously adapting the motor operation, based on a control loop,
• wherein the control loop is configured for outputting for the operating parameter to be set a value and/or a range of values and/or an upper and/or lower limit for the value, based on the measured actual value of the operating parameter and a predetermined target closing torque as input variables, and
• wherein the control loop is configured to determine a current value of the actual closing torque making use of the actual closing torque model, and to determine, based on a comparison between the current value of the actual closing torque and the value of the target closing torque, the value and/or the range of values and/or the upper and/or lower limit for the operating parameter to be set.