ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at minimal soap-film surfaces in three-dimensional frameworks and at the computation of minimal surfaces from mathematical equations. It shows how these two approaches for developing minimal surfaces can be brought towards convergence. Classification of certain frameworks is undertaken on the basis of deformation of surfaces drawn from the centre of a sphere to great arc configurations on the surface of the sphere. The three-dimensional frameworks considered so far have been chosen because it is relatively easy to construct them with variable prism height. The chapter discusses the importance of computers for the graphical representation of minimal surfaces is explored and the derivation of minimal surfaces from mathematical equations. It considers equilibrium film patterns established within simple wire frameworks. Some of these frameworks can be constructed to change size. With the framework closed up sufficiently, the film starts to change shape and slips into the absolute energy minimum.
