This paper presents the idea of improving existing process monitoring systems for drilling, milling or threading by employing a novel communication technology as well as energy harvesting methods. An overview of the system including sensor node, energy supply and communication technology is given. The radio transmission methods are investigated in terms of power consumption in order to define requirements for the power supply. Fundamental measurements to characterize the behavior of different types of solar cells under artificial light are performed. Based on the results, two designs of sensor node prototypes are presented. The optical power supply and the energy harvesting system for the demonstrators are shown in detail.