---
lang: en
title: "Machine and stack-light status monitoring for older equipment"
url: https://nabrio.com/use-cases/machine-status-monitoring
canonical: https://nabrio.com/use-cases/machine-status-monitoring
updated: 2026-10-27
publisher: Nabrio Co., Ltd. (nabrio.com)
---

# Machine and stack-light status monitoring for older equipment

Older machines often have no network interface, so their state is invisible. Nara watches the stack light or HMI with a camera, works out the machine state from colour or on-screen text, and logs running time and downtime for dashboards and alerts. Machines with Modbus are read directly.

- Sectors: [Manufacturing](https://nabrio.com/industries/manufacturing.md)
- What it takes: Ready to configure. Works with Nara’s built-in models. You set up the zones, rules and outputs.
- Products: [Nara](https://nabrio.com/nara.md)

## The problem

Old machines have no network interface, so their state is invisible to managers.

## How it works

- **Input:** Camera on the stack light or HMI, or Modbus where available
- **Process:** Colour or OCR checks per zone
- **Action:** Log machine state and downtime, with dashboards and alerts

Nara checks the colour of each stack-light segment, or reads the HMI text with OCR, and turns it into a machine state. State changes and downtime are stored in the database and shown on dashboards, and alerts go to the right people. Machines that already speak Modbus are read directly, with no camera needed.

## What you need

- A camera with a view of the stack light or HMI
- Or Modbus access to the machine controller

## Nara building blocks

- Camera nodes
- Colour detection per zone
- OCR
- Modbus read
- Database table
- Dashboard
- Notifications

AI models: [OCR (text reading)](https://nabrio.com/nara/ai-models.md)

## What it improves

- OEE visibility
- Downtime reasons
- Faster response

## Frequently asked questions

### Is there a guide for setting it up?

Yes. The free “Machine status” course on help.nabrio.com walks through the flow and dashboard step by step.

### Can we use the cameras we already have?

Usually, yes. Nara reads standard IP cameras over RTSP, as well as Basler industrial cameras, USB webcams and video files.

## Related use cases

- [Gauge reading](https://nabrio.com/use-cases/gauge-reading.md)
- [Robot and AMR orchestration](https://nabrio.com/use-cases/robot-and-amr-orchestration.md)
- [Item and pallet counting](https://nabrio.com/use-cases/item-and-pallet-counting.md)

Talk to us about machine status monitoring: sales@nabrio.com. [Download Nara](https://nabrio.com/download.md).