The industrial robot flexible assembly technology for the plane drilling and riveting is presented. The key technologies are researched including accuracy compensation of multi-joint robot, multifunction end effector (MFEE), workpiece surface normal measurement and alignment, system control technology, and off line programming etc. To qualify this for production on the small wing parts assemblies, the system produces each hole to a diameter tolerance of ±0.5 mm and a normality tolerance of ±0.5°. Results show that automated assembly of aircraft structures using robotic technology can be an ideal, low cost and effective solution in the appropriate application. With the increased functionality available in today′s off the shelf industrial robots, teamed with the multifunction end effector and software compensation, their use as assembly platform in the aerospace industry is fast becoming viable.