He also made special effects models for films including the Star Wars prequels.
The Discovery Channel, which aired Mythbusters and BattleBots, on which Imahara was a judge, described him as "a really wonderful man".
Mythbusters co-host Adam Savage wrote that he was "such a generous, easygoing, and gentle person".
Fellow Mythbusters and White Rabbit Project presenter Kari Bryon responded to the news by writing: "Somedays I wish I had a time machine."