My cats rarely bother the needle anymore, but I also just shake my water bottle when they get a bit too close. Of course, they will have to have been sprayed with the water at some point to know that it's something unpleasant that they want to avoid. Since you won't want to spray water around your machine, you'll have to find other opportunities to spritz them when they're 'naughty'. It won't take but a time or two and they'll learn quickly. After that, just shaking the bottle is enough, you won't have to spritz.
I love my kitties and don't like doing this, but it doesn't hurt them, they just don't like it. And in the end, you are doing what you must to keep them with you but still safe. please just remember if you do spritz to keep it a fine mist. No hard sprays in the face. (I'm sure you wouldn't do this anyway, but I do see it recommended here and other places sometimes.)