The aim of the project is the optimisation of the apparatus design by the development of an in-tegrated computer support on the basis of a feature-based product model for apparatus engineering. This includes the development of computer-aided methods for apparatus engineering and the corresponding tools and the integration of the partial solutions into commercial CAD systems. The result of the research work is the design system IKA, which enables an integrated feature-based computer support for apparatus engineering. The emphasis was the development of a generally accepted methodology and the supply of application-independent tools that enable the integration of company-specific modules into commercial CAD systems.