In this paper the usual model which permits to describe the evolution of the radius r = r(t) and of the meniscus height h = h(t) in the case of filament growth from the melt by edge-defined film-fed growth method is considered. What is specific is that the bottom line of the melt/gas meniscus is movable on the die. The main objective is to show that a periodic movement of the bottom line leads to a periodic change of the crystal radius (as it was observed by practical crystal growers) and to show that this effect can be compensated for example by an adequate periodic change of the pulling rate. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.