en مهندسی فاکتورهای انسانی Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics Special Issue Special Issue <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times=""><i>Industry 4.0 is transforming manufacturing skill requirements, emphasizing problem-based learning that integrates Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE). This conceptual study introduces ergonomic cognition as a framework to understand how students perceive, respond to, and apply ergonomic principles in simulation-based learning. Guided by the Ontology of Techniques for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (OTILIA), the study combines cognitive learning theories with ergonomic reasoning to explore student engagement in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), focusing on CO₂ laser cutting. A focus group of 21 final-year students from the Bachelor of Technology Management (Furniture Design and Manufacturing) program at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia participated. Data were collected using the think-aloud method and analyzed through prescriptive coding based on studio themes. Descriptive statistics were used to track behavior across the three HFE domains: physical, cognitive, and organizational ergonomics. Findings reveal that integrating CO₂ laser cutting enhances ergonomic cognition -&nbsp; improving precision, customization, material efficiency, time management, and the learning curve during 3D miniature furniture production. The results support a triangular prescription framework linking ergonomic reasoning, interactive tools, and iterative design. Sustainability competencies were also embedded, prompting students to consider environmental impact, material use, and usability. This approach equips future designers to create eco-conscious, ergonomic, and industry-ready products aligned with sustainable smart manufacturing goals.</i></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div> Design for additive manufacturing,Ergonomic cognition,Industrial revolution 4.0,Simulation-based learning,Sustainability competencies 66 78 http://ijiepr.iust.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3263-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1 MOHD HASNI CHUMIRAN mohdhasni@uthm.edu.my 1800319475328460014472 1800319475328460014472 Yes Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh, Muar, Johor, 84600, Malaysia ABDULLAH AL RASHID AB HAMID alrashid@uthm.edu.my 1800319475328460014473 1800319475328460014473 No Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh, Muar, Johor, 84600, Malaysia Muhammad Firdaus Md Rawi firdausmr@uthm.edu.my 1800319475328460014474 1800319475328460014474 No Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh, Muar, Johor, 84600, Malaysia Ahmad Anwar Safwan Sidek ahmadanwar@uthm.edu.my 1800319475328460014475 1800319475328460014475 No Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh, Muar, Johor, 84600, Malaysia Mohd Zarir Yusoff zarir@uthm.edu.my 1800319475328460014476 1800319475328460014476 No Department of Production and Operation Management, Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, 86400, Malaysia