[mike_newcomb]

Hi Kelly, as Sirius advises, photos may help.
Include the connection socket(s) especially which one(s) connect with the external Machinery.

Advise the Machinery make, type and *FULL* model number - Why the secret?

Are you aware of any other users of said machinery, who may be able to help.

You are not the first to experience this situation with uncommon hardware.
This is why it is so important to have a stock of known good spares ready should a fault occur.
Same now for items such as Dot Matrix Printers, the (old) pc itself, etc.

Regards - Mike